Rising temperatures and soaring summer heat mean more money spent on cooling homes, assuming there are no power outages. Using an air conditioner to stay cool can be costly to household budgets. However, there is a simple way to keep your house cool even in the height of summer at a low cost. Air conditioning feels great in the summer, but running it nonstop will have you sweating when you get your utility bills. Blinds, curtains, and other window treatments can help keep your house cool and your bills low.

Inadequate Building Controls

Thermostats, sensors, and other building controls are intended to save energy while also maintaining a comfortable and productive indoor environment. However, without seasonal adjustments, neglected controls can waste energy. Align the  indoor and outdoor sensors of the building. Calibrate room and duct thermostats and humidistats, as well as pressure  and temperature sensors, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Inspect the damper and valve controls to ensure  they are in good working order.

Keep Your Ducts in a Row!

Ductwork is typically hidden behind walls and ceilings, but leaky ducts can cause higher cooling costs on your summer  energy bills. Check for leaks in accessible ductwork and seal with mastic tape. Avoid time-consuming manual sealing by  using aerosol-based technology to seal your entire duct system, and increase system efficiency by insulating accessible 
ductwork to prevent conditioned air from escaping.

Steam Traps That Have Failed

Failed steam traps and system leaks receive more attention in the winter, but for facilities that use steam for laundry, processing, and other applications, a leaky system could cost you all summer. Create a program for inspecting, testing,  and repairing steam traps, pipes, and other system components regularly.

Cooking Wastes Energy

Kitchen facilities frequently leave hood ventilation units running at full speed, even when not in use. This not only wastes energy but also draws air out of the building, making the HVAC system work harder to supply and cool makeup air.  Demand control hood ventilation can save energy by adjusting ventilation fan speed as needed and reducing the  requirement for makeup air.

Ways to Reduce the Hidden Costs of the Summer

Use Ceiling Fans to Supplement Your Air Conditioning.

A fan uses a fraction of the energy that your air conditioner does. Ceiling fans, by themselves, will not keep you cool, but  they can help. Ceiling fans draw hot air upward, and the fan blades cut through and disperse it. This creates a wind-chill  effect, keeping you cool and reducing your reliance on your air conditioner.

Close Your Curtains, Blinds or Shades

Nothing beats natural light for elevating your mood and bringing your living space to life. If you leave your blinds, shades,  or curtains open during the day, your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep you cool. During the day, try to keep  your windows closed. A lighter-coloured, highly reflective blind, shade, or curtain will help deflect solar rays, keeping 
your home cooler for longer periods.

Grow a Green Thumb

Planting trees or shrubs can provide more shade for your home, keeping it cooler as the sun shines. Take note of the  sun’s path and identify the areas of your home that receive more sunlight than others. Look into planting some shade  trees in those areas of your property. The new look will increase your curb appeal while decreasing your AC costs.

Sealing Doors and Windows

During the winter, did you notice a cool draft in your home? Those same locations will be problematic for lowering AC  costs during the summer. Locate any gaps in doorways and windows and seal them properly with weather stripping or  caulking.

Vents and Filters Should Be Cleaned

Your air conditioner and ducts aren’t the only components of your air conditioning system. You should also service and  clean all of your vents, as well as change the filter in your air conditioner every few months. Changing the filter on a  regular basis will not only help your AC run more efficiently, but it will also help reduce irritants and pollutants in your air.

Include Window or Portable Units

Why cool the entire house if you only spend your time in one or two rooms? A small window or portable air conditioner  used in your living room or bedroom can keep you – and your budget comfortable without requiring your larger air  conditioner to cool unused rooms.

Insulating, Insulating, Insulating

Even the most energy-efficient air conditioner in the world will not keep a poorly insulated house cool. Inspect the seals  around your doors and windows on a regular basis to ensure that hot air is not leaking in. You should also have your  walls and attic inspected for any areas that are poorly insulated.

Install Roller Shades

Roller shades will unify the style of any window treatment and provide a clean, uncluttered appearance to the home. This  type of shade can be extremely beneficial to modern homes and it mainly helps to reduce energy costs. You can use  window treatments on top of the roller shade or go for a more minimalist look by just using the shade.

They can be precisely measured and installed to fit your windows. When properly installed, roller shades appear tidy and  compact and do not appear bulky to the eye. They’re also more secure than full-length drapes hung from floor-to-ceiling  windows, especially in homes with small children or pets like cats and dogs.

Set Up a Smart Thermostat

If you don’t want to spend time monitoring your thermostat for efficiency, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats learn your habits and can adjust the temperature automatically based on when you’re at home and  away.

Overnight Cooling

Overcooling at night could save you money if you have a well-insulated home. This entails lowering the thermostat at  night when outdoor temperatures are lower, causing the air conditioner to work less hard. Off-peak energy costs are  frequently lower as well. As long as your insulation is adequate, your home should remain cool during the day.

Spend Time in the Basement

Basements are generally cooler due to the earth’s insulating properties and the fact that hot air rises. This may be the  best place to spend the summer if you have a subterranean level in your home.

Wrapping it Up

Now you have a better understanding of the hidden costs of summer heat and how to reduce them. To stay healthy and  wealthy, incorporate the above suggestions into your daily routine.